huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Aug 3, 2016 11:46:12 GMT -5
I know that the Lot-O and the UV are worth every penny that they cost, but they cost a lot of pennies. I would like to get one of them eventually, but I've burned through my allowance money for quite a few months on rocks. Would a Chicago Tools vibe work for, say a year, until I could replace it? I know the answer is, "maybe," but in a general sense, are these the kinds of things that either burn out in 10 minutes or work for 10 years, or do they work for 365.1 days until the warranty expires, and then they crap out?
I also wonder about the quality of what they put out vs. Lot-O and UV. Is it as good, as good but it takes longer, or just no (bleeping) way it's going to perform like the better product?
Ultimately I'm trying to figure out if I just save the $60 and keep rotary tumbling until I can afford the UV, or would it be an OK first foray into vibratory tumbling?
I appreciate everyone's input. I know opinions are like armpits, everyone's got a few and they can stink pretty bad, but I do really want to know peoples' thoughts. Thank you!
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Post by captbob on Aug 3, 2016 11:54:20 GMT -5
Can't answer the above, but maybe a used one of the better models? Post in the Buy Sell Trade section that you are in the market, ya never know. Check eBay for used?
MY opinion is that a vibe doesn't put any better product than a rotary, just speeds things up significantly.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Aug 3, 2016 16:01:23 GMT -5
captbob, I think I am going to try your earlier suggestion on loading the barrel for my rotary tumbler and see how that goes before I invest in a vibe. It's much better that I learn to use the stuff I already have properly, but I tend to lean toward trying a whole new animal when it doesn't go perfectly. I REALLY appreciate the advice you gave on my earlier post, that is the kind of knowledge that can take years to build on your own. You very likely sped ME up significantly in being a better polisher. =)
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Aug 3, 2016 16:08:15 GMT -5
NO!!!!!
They will not work worth a damn for rock. They are meant for light stuff and the hole in the bowl eggs out immediately. Soon you have nothing.
Been there.
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hamba
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2016
Posts: 1
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Post by hamba on Aug 3, 2016 19:05:11 GMT -5
I've been using a Lyman Turbo 600 for about 6 months with no problems (yet). I think that was about $70 - the additional bowl for polish was an additional $$. But I have seen others say they have had problems with it. I use a tumbler for coarse and finish with the vibe. I struggle more with getting a process down than my equipment. So many ideas! I try to combine formulas and have not had much success (yet).
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Aug 4, 2016 13:05:16 GMT -5
Maybe you will have better luck with the HF vibratory tumbler than I did but I quickly destroyed mine. When I talked to the people at HF they told me that it wasn't really intended for rocks and were kind enough to give me a refund. I think you would have better luck with something else but of course my experience is limited to only one unit. I just ordered a Raytech TV-5 because the Lot-O was just out of my budget and Raytech does advertise the TV-5 as being a rock tumbler. Hopefully it will last a bit longer than the HF. My rotary tumbler is a 3lb HF and I have had good luck with it so far but from reading the boards here it sounds like vibratory tumblers are much more efficient.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Aug 4, 2016 13:07:26 GMT -5
I forgot to add that my HF vibratory tumbler worked for about 12 hours before it was destroyed and I did not use coarse grit in it. My first and only batch I ran in it was with 120-220 grit SiC.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Aug 4, 2016 14:04:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, everyone. I think this is a case of me being impatient with the tools I already have. I just see all of the beautiful stuff here on the boards, and I want to make pretty stuff like that. I lose sight of the fact that the guys/gals who make the really pretty stuff have been doing this for YEARS, and they've gotten really good through LOTS of trial and error, and not just through buying new tools. I have learned more from the folks on this board than I could have gleaned from trying to do this myself until I got so frustrated I gave up. It is really wonderful to have this resource, and when people share their work, there is absolutely zero ego. Everyone is genuinely trying to help everyone else in every aspect of this hobby, and that is special.
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Aug 4, 2016 16:38:32 GMT -5
I am right there in the same boat as you and I wholeheartedly agree that there is some extremely useful information on these forums. I also blew my budget buying what I believe will be better tumbling material that the rocks I have been collecting around my house. I keep reading comments from so many people here who swear by vibratory tumblers and I am really interested in trying one out. I would really like to get a Lot-O but I am not going to have that much saved up for a while.
A member of this community suggested I check out the Raytech TV-5 as an affordable way to try vibratory tumblers when I had my issues with the HF machine. I did a bunch of research and ready reviews, watched videos… and it looks like it is a decent machine so I went ahead and ordered one.
As I understand it the vibratory tumbler won’t make the rocks any shinier but it should work a whole lot faster than the rotary tumblers. The shorter cycle time should mean that I can get more runs under my belt in less time so I can develop my technique more rapidly.
My plan is to use my two rotary tumblers to do nothing but the coarse stage and once I have built enough material that has completed stage 1, complete the rest of the process in the vibratory tumbler. I have purchased 5lbs of non-abrasive ceramic media that I think will allow me to run the vibratory tumbler without so many rocks so I am not waiting forever.
I am also really encouraged by the people here who do share their experience freely and without ego. It has made me feel much more comfortable sharing my experiences and asking questions. I am so glad I found this place.
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1nickthegreek
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 382
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Post by 1nickthegreek on Aug 6, 2016 16:05:03 GMT -5
I had a Raytech TV-5 for about 3 months before I bought a Lot-o, Raytech is okay as a starter vibe but thats about all it is good for.......so damned noisy that I had to run it outside LOL Best of luck and when you're ready to get a Lot-o I can sell ya one or send ya to someone for sure!!!!!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Aug 6, 2016 16:37:15 GMT -5
I am right there in the same boat as you and I wholeheartedly agree that there is some extremely useful information on these forums. I also blew my budget buying what I believe will be better tumbling material that the rocks I have been collecting around my house. I keep reading comments from so many people here who swear by vibratory tumblers and I am really interested in trying one out. I would really like to get a Lot-O but I am not going to have that much saved up for a while. A member of this community suggested I check out the Raytech TV-5 as an affordable way to try vibratory tumblers when I had my issues with the HF machine. I did a bunch of research and ready reviews, watched videos… and it looks like it is a decent machine so I went ahead and ordered one. As I understand it the vibratory tumbler won’t make the rocks any shinier but it should work a whole lot faster than the rotary tumblers. The shorter cycle time should mean that I can get more runs under my belt in less time so I can develop my technique more rapidly. My plan is to use my two rotary tumblers to do nothing but the coarse stage and once I have built enough material that has completed stage 1, complete the rest of the process in the vibratory tumbler. I have purchased 5lbs of non-abrasive ceramic media that I think will allow me to run the vibratory tumbler without so many rocks so I am not waiting forever. I am also really encouraged by the people here who do share their experience freely and without ego. It has made me feel much more comfortable sharing my experiences and asking questions. I am so glad I found this place. I like this approach. I have four three-pound barrels and two six-pound barrels running all the time and I still can't keep up with my Lot-O. Buying something with the idea of replacing it just ends up costing more money. I'd just keep rough grinding and stock piling until you can save up enough money for a quality vibe.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Aug 6, 2016 16:49:45 GMT -5
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 391
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Post by richardh on Aug 6, 2016 21:41:53 GMT -5
Thanks again everyone for the advice. Loud will definitely not work at my house. Thankfully the Raytech hadn't shipped yet so I was able to cancel my order without causing too much trouble. I guess I will just be saving up for a Lot-O.
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Post by broseph82 on Aug 6, 2016 22:04:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, everyone. I think this is a case of me being impatient with the tools I already have. I just see all of the beautiful stuff here on the boards, and I want to make pretty stuff like that. I lose sight of the fact that the guys/gals who make the really pretty stuff have been doing this for YEARS, and they've gotten really good through LOTS of trial and error, and not just through buying new tools. I have learned more from the folks on this board than I could have gleaned from trying to do this myself until I got so frustrated I gave up. It is really wonderful to have this resource, and when people share their work, there is absolutely zero ego. Everyone is genuinely trying to help everyone else in every aspect of this hobby, and that is special. time, patience, and trial and error. Everyone whom you see with the beautiful tumbles have been doing it for years continuously. All I can say is start, when you get frustrated DON'T give up! Take a step back, read up online a bit, and then continue. Practice now with a cheaper tumbler so you can at least get the feel for it on what to do and somewhat what to expect. I have two double barrel 3lb HF tumblers and had one going for a year straight. No belt breaks no problems. Just got tired of the rotary and upgraded to a massive vibe.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Aug 7, 2016 4:35:31 GMT -5
Just in case you get buyer's remorse with your buyer's remorse, I owned a TV5. I had some success, but then the motor went, still in warranty and they sent a whole new base unit, no return of defective unit necessary. I made the mistake of using 60/90 SiC in 1st run, bowl became transparent by the end of that run. Replaced bowl, rookie mistake, BEFORE I discovered RTH, which IMHO is the world's greatest rock tumbling resource. But I digress. On the TV5, the bowl cover eventually wore out in the center, needed replacement. I used it for a year and a half. I eventually decided to cut my losses and used it as a trade-in on a Gy-roc Model "B", which I'm pretty happy with.
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